Zelfportret van Jan Hoogsaat 1706 - 1730

Jan Hoogsaat's self-portrait, an oil on panel painting, presents the artist in the guise of a gentleman, framed within an oval. Look closely and you'll see that Hoogsaat is holding a painter’s palette, a direct reference to his profession. The texture of the paint itself is quite smooth, typical of the period, but the artist is careful to depict the materiality of his subject with a certain level of care. The very materials of painting – pigment and oil – are thus brought to the fore. In the 18th century, the art world, like many other sectors, was rapidly professionalizing and marketizing. By representing himself at work, Hoogsaat positions himself as a skilled tradesman, navigating an increasingly commercialized landscape. It’s a visual reminder of the labor and skill involved in producing art, at a time when the status of the artist was very much in flux. As we consider this painting, let's remember the craft and work inherent in all artistic expression.